Apparatus for and method of loading bombs



APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF LOADING BOMBS Filed Sept. 10. 1 29 Haw-L1H H -Ellmstsad aw, M4 (W Patented June 23, 1931 warren stares HENRY H. OLMS'IEAD, OF 'WHARTON, NEW JERSEY APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF LOADING BOMBS Application filed September 10, 1929. Serial No. 391,653.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED AIRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to apparatus for and a method of loading bombs.

The generally accepted method of loading bombs and other explosives containers consists in introducing the explosive in molten condition through the opening provided to receive the fuse and booster mechanism.

The formation of a cavity in the explosive to receive the adapter-booster is established either by boring out the solidified explosive or by employing a former through which the final increment of explosive is poured and which is removed after solidification of the explosive. The first method of forming the cavity is manifestly attendant with hazards and in the second method, the removal of the former and the subsequent insertion of a loaded booster into the prepared cavity are operations in which elements of danger are always present. It also frequently happens that the booster cavity is eccentric to the adapter-booster so that in inserting or removing the adapter-booster frictional contact is had with the walls of the cavity which presents a grave element of danger. i

In view of these disadvantages it proposed in the present invention to introduce the explosive through an openlng other than that provided for the fuse and adapter in order to avoid the necessity of pouring it through the former. The cavity for the adapter-booster is formed by positioning a rigid casing which is gripped and securely held by the explosive on solidification.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional vlew of a bomb equipped with the improved apparatus for loading;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional new of the casing.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference:

A bomb to be loaded with explosive consists of a container .5 having an opening 6 at one end, usually at the nose, for threaded attachment of the fuseholding adapter 7 to which a booster case 8 is secured. These elements, as illustrated, constitute the arrangement of the conventional bomb to be fused with a nose fuse.

According to this invention the base or tail opening 10, which will hereinafter be termed the loading aperture, isprovided in any part of the bomb, but preferably remote from the booster casing 8. By means of this loading aperture, the fused explosive may be introduced into the bomb or container after the adapter-booster casing has been secured in place. as

In order that a cavity may be formed about the casing 78 to permit its removal, there is provided a rigid shell 11 which covers that portion of the casing 78 which is inserted Within the container. The end 12 of the shell. fri'ctionally engages the adapter 7 with a sufiicient force to insure its retention thereon during the pouring of the explosive. This may be conveniently accomplished by punching the casing at a plurality of points as indicated at 13. The explosive on solidifying'will grip the shell and securely hold it in place upon withdrawal'of the adapter.

The booster casing is preferably spaced from the walls of the shell and its base-fits within the reduced portion 14 at the base of the shell for the purpose of centering the shell. I

In assembling the shell to the adapterbooster casing preparatory to inserting the unit in the container, a gasket 15 may be placed between the rim of the shell and the threads on the adapter to prevent the fused explosive from entering the shell during pouring.

The arrangement outlined not only eliminates boring of the explosive and the manipulation of a former but provides a cham-' ber whose interior has been sealed against 9 the explosive. Should it be necessary to remove. the loaded booster casing, the operation may be performed without danger as it does not come in contact with the explosive. The shell being rigid prevents the surrounding explosive from breaking down during handling of the bomb.

ivhile the preferred method of loading contemplates the employment of the adapter-booster casing as a support for the rigid shell during the pouring of the explosive, it is to be understood that the support need not be a component of the loaded projectile.

I claim:

1. A method of loading an explosive into a container having an opening for receiving a booster casing which consists in releasably supporting a rigid shell about the insertable portion of the booster casing by frictional engagement therewith, sealing the joint between the shell and thecasing, applying the casing to the container and introducing a fused explosive through a second opening provided in the container.

2. A method of loading an explosive into a container having an opening for receiving a booster casing which consists in releasably supporting a rigid shell about the insertable portion of the booster casing, sealing the jointbetween the shell and the casing, applying the casing to the container and introducing a fused explosive'through a second opening provided in the container.

3. A method of loading an explosive into a container having an opening for receiving a booster casing which consists in releasably supporting a rigid shell about the insertable portion of the booster casing, applying the casing to the container and introducing a fused explosive through a second opening provided in the container.

A method of loading an explosive into a container having openings, which consist in inserting in one of the openings a support having a removable shell, introducing a fused explosive into the container through a different opening and withdrawing the support when the explosive after solidification, grips the shell.

5. An explosive device, including a container, a member attached thereto and having a portion inserted therein, a rigid shell enclosing the inserted portion of said member and releasably supported thereby and a gasket between the rim of the shell and said member.

6. An explosive device, including a container, a member detachably secured thereto and having a portion inserted therein and a shell enveloping the inserted portion of said nember and releasably supported thereby.

7. A projectile, an explosive within the projectile formed with a booster cavity, and a liner for the cavity held in position by the explosive.

HENRY H. OLMSTEAD. 

